hidra de lerna Picture

In Greek mythology, the Hydra of Lerna was a ruthless old chthonic water monster snake-polycephalous (the number of heads ranges from 3, 5 or 9 to 100 and even 10,000 depending on the source) and poisonous breath which Heracles killed in the second of his twelve labors. The Hydra had the power to regenerate two heads for every one that was lost or amputated, and his lair was the lake of Lerna in the Gulf of Argolis (near Nafplion), although archaeologists have confirmed that this sacred place is predates even the Mycenaean city of Argos, for Lerna was the site of the myth of the Danaides. Under the water there was an entrance to the Underworld kept the Hydra.The Hydra was the daughter of Echidna and Typhon. She was raised by Hera on a banana near the source Amimone in Lerna. It was said that was the sister of the Nemean Lion and therefore seeking revenge for his death at the hands of Heracles. Therefore it is said to have been chosen to work for Heracles so that he died.